The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanChaputCoolsCordyCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDemersDowneDoyleDyckEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGreeneHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJohnsonJoyalLangLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMercerMeredithMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhPattersonPlettRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSeidmanSibbestonSmith (Cobourg)Smith (Saurel)Stewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWattWellsWhite

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanChaputCoolsCordyCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDemersDowneDoyleDyckEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGreeneHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJohnsonJoyalLangLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMercerMeredithMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhPattersonPlettRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSeidmanSibbestonSmith (Cobourg)Smith (Saurel)Stewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWattWellsWhite

The first list records senators present in the Senate Chamber during the course of the sitting.

An asterisk in the second list indicates a senator who, while not present during the sitting, was in attendance to business, as defined in subsections 8(2) and (3) of the Senators Attendance Policy.

PRAYERS

SPEAKER'S STATEMENT

One hundred years ago today at 9 o’clock in the evening on a bitterly cold night, a fire broke out in the reading room of the House of Commons. 

Fed by newspapers and other documents kept there, the fire spread too quickly to be contained. 

Within hours, it consumed the entire building. By early next morning, only a shell was left.

In one account the bell of the Victoria Tower tolled midnight a last time before crashing to the ground.

The fire not only destroyed the Parliament Building leaving just the Library unscathed, it also took the lives of seven individuals, including one MP and the Assistant Clerk of the House of Commons.

Despite the speed by which the fire spread, soldiers who had been ordered to the Hill to provide crowd control joined volunteers to save many of the furnishings while firefighters fought the blaze. 

Of the objects lost, perhaps the most significant were the Black Rod of the Senate and the Mace of the House of Commons.

This devastating fire took place while Canada was engaged in the First World War. Indeed, rumours flew that the fire might have been an act of sabotage.

What is truly remarkable, however, is the great resilience shown after the fire. Rebuilding the Centre Block began within months and was largely completed within 5 years.

Parliament itself moved to its temporary location at the Museum of Nature the very next day and continued to meet there until the new building was completed.

Now a hundred years later, we remember this important event in our history.  We regret the loss of an historic building and we mourn those who perished in the fire. But, despite the great loss, we can also marvel at the determination shown to carry on with the work of Parliament. It is a reminder that however much we may cherish the buildings that represent our democracy; the true meaning of democracy actually lives in the will and determination of the people. This was demonstrated brilliantly one hundred years ago, and it remains true today.

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Smith (Saurel) tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/42-144S):

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance has the honour to table its

SECOND REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament:

1.With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:

2.With respect to the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 authorized by the Senate on Wednesday, March 5, 2014:

In addition to the expenses for its studies as set out above, your committee also incurred general postal charges of $10.

During the session, your committee held 103 meetings(160.2 hours), heard 543 witnesses and submitted 23 reports in relation to its work.  Your committee examined 8 bills (C-4, C-462, S-204, C-31, C-43, C-520, C-21 and C-59) and received a total of 24 orders of reference.

Respectfully submitted,

o o o

The Honourable Senator Manning tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/42-145S):

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament:

1. With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:

2. With respect to its special study on the evolving policy framework for managing Canada’s fisheries and oceans authorized by the Senate on Monday, December 9, 2013:

3.With respect to its special study on the regulation of aquaculture, current challenges and future prospects for the industry in Canada authorized by the Senate on Monday, December 9, 2013:

Your committee did not incur general postal charges during the First Session of the Forty-first Parliament.

During the session, your committee held 33 meetings(73.3 hours), heard 135 witnesses and submitted 12 reports in relation to its work. Your Committee examined 3 bills (S-3, S-224 and C-555), one Proposal to Parliament for User Fees and Service Standard (from Fisheries and Oceans Canada for Aquaculture Licenses under the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations) and received a total of 6 orders of reference.

Respectfully submitted,

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Runciman introduced Bill S-217, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (detention in custody).

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Runciman moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (cruelty-free cosmetics).

The Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Marshall moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Runciman, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 6 to 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (communications with and services to the public).

The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Maltais moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Unger, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 14 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 7, 31, 25, 6 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Munson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and monitor issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada’s international and national human rights obligations;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than January 31, 2017.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to study and to report on the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act;

That the committee also be authorized to study the reports and documents published by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board, and the Commissioner of Official Languages, and any other subject concerning official languages;

That the documents received, evidence heard and business accomplished on this subject by the committee since the beginning of the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee submit its final report no later no later than November 30, 2017, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

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At 3:09 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:30 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Question Period

Pursuant to the order adopted on February 2, 2016, the Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Pursuant to the order adopted on December 10, 2015, the Honourable Hunter Tootoo, P.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coastguard, entered the Senate and took part in Question Period.

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

(Accordingly, at 4:05 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)

Report of the Chief Public Health Officer on the State of Public Health in Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Public Health Agency of Canada Act, S.C. 2006,c. 5,sbs. 12(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-140.

Report of the National Capital Commission, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11,sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-141.

Report of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11,sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-142.

Reports of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-143.

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Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator Beyak replaced the Honourable Senator Oh (February 3, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator MacDonald replaced the Honourable Senator Plett (February 3, 2016).